Fenugreek is the ripe, dried fruit of an annual leguminous herb. Both seeds and plant of this herb is used in Indian cuisine.
The dried leaves of the fenugreek is used as a quality flavour for meat, fish and vegetable dishes. It acts as a medicine as well as an embalming agent. Fenugreek seeds are rich in vitamin E and is one of the earliest spices known to man.
The composition of seed on an average is given below:
Moisture:6.3 %
Protein:9.5 %
Fat:10.0 %
Fiber:18.5%
Carbohydrates:42.3 %
Total ash:13.4 %
Calcium:1.3 %
Phosphorus:0.48 %
Iron:0.011 %
Sodium:0.09 %
Potassium:1.7 % Vitamin B1:0.41 mg/100 g
Vitamin B2:0.36 mg/100 g.
Niacin:6.0 mg/100 g
Vitamin C:12.0 mg/100g
Vitamin A:1040 I.U./100 g
Calorific value:370 calories/100g
Gums:23.06 %
Mucilage:28.00 %.
In nutshell, fenugreek seed contains many substances like protein, starch, sugars, mucilage, mineral matters, volatile oil, fixed oil, vitamins and enzymes. Seeds are rich in essential amino acids.
Fenugreek leaves and stems are also rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Although fresh leaves contain only 3 to 5 % protein, on dry basis, they are comparable to pulses.
Indian names are as follows:
Sanskrit: Methi, Jyoti, Chandrika, Mantha
Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Urdu:Methi
Kannada:Menthya
Malayalam:Ventayan, Uluva
Tamil:Vendayam, Venthiyam
Telugu:Menthulu, Mentulu.
Other Names: Alhova, Bird's Foot, Greek Clover, Greek Hay, Hu Lu Ba, Trigonella, Trigonella foenum-graecum
Attributed Medicinal Properties
Fenugreek is a digestive aid. As an emollient it is used in poultices for boils, cysts and other complaints. Reducing the sugar level of the blood, it is used in diabetes in conjunction with insulin. It also lowers blood pressure. Fenugreek relieves congestion, reduces inflammation and fights infection. Fenugreek contains natural expectorant properties ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, and loosens & removes excess mucus and phlegm. Fenugreek is also an excellent source of selenium, an anti-radiant which helps the body utilize oxygen. Fenugreek is a natural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine. Fenugreek contains mucilagins which are known for soothing and relaxing inflamed tissues. Fenugreek stimulates the production of mucosal fluids helping remove allergens and toxins from the respiratory tract. Acting as an expectorant, Fenugreek alleviates coughing, stimulates perspiration to reduce fevers, and is beneficial for treating allergies, bronchitis and congestion. In the East, beverages are made from the seed to ease stomach trouble. The chemical make-up is curiously similar to cod liver oil, for which a decoction of the seed is sometimes used as a substitute. Many other properties are ascribed to it in India and the East and not surprisingly include aphrodisiac.
Fenugreek and breastfeeding - Fenugreek seeds contain hormone precursors that increase milk supply. Scientists do not know for sure how this happens. Some believe it is possible because breasts are modified sweat glands, and fenugreek stimulates sweat production. It has been found that fenugreek can increase a nursing mother's milk supply within 24 to 72 hours after first taking the herb. Once an adequate level of milk production is reached, most women can discontinue the fenugreek and maintain the milk supply with adequate breast stimulation. Many women today take fenugreek in a pill form (ground seeds placed in capsules). The pills can be found at most vitamin and nutrition stores and at many supermarkets and natural foods stores. Fenugreek can also be taken in tea form, although tea is believed to be less potent than the pills and the tea comes with a bitter taste that can be hard to stomach.
Fenugreek is not right for everyone. The herb has caused aggravated asthma symptoms in some women and has lowered blood glucose levels in some women with diabetes.
What is it used for ? - Fenugreek seeds are ground and roasted and used to flavor to curry. The seeds are also soaked and then powdered and used to make lip balm and tonic. The seeds can be used to make tea, which can reduce fever and menstrual pains, or they can be used in an ointment to treat skin infections. The seeds have also been used to increase libido in men and serve as an aphrodisiac. Ground seeds are often used to give a maple flavor to sweets and candies. Ground seeds are also used to flavor cattle food, including different vegetable meals and hays. Fenugreek's leaves, which are high in iron, are used in salads. Taken internally, fenugreek is used to treat bronchitis, coughs, respiratory problems, sinus conditions and to increase milk supply (see more below).
Asthma:
Fenugreek is often cited as a natural remedy for asthma. However, inhalation of the powder can cause asthma and allergic symptoms. Some mothers have reported that it worsened their asthma symptoms.
Abnormal menstrual cycles:
Fenugreek is considered to be an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual flow). It may cause breakthrough menstrual bleeding, use fenugreek with caution if you have a history of abnormal menstrual cycles.
Migraines:
Fenugreek is often cited as a natural remedy for migraines. However, iit may trigger a migraine and/or contribute to the duration and severity of a migraine.
Blood pressure problems or heart disease:
Fenugreek is commonly reported to lower blood pressure and LDL blood cholesterol levels. However, few sources suggest that it may cause or contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure), avoid this herb if you have a history of hypertension, or if there is a strong family history of hypertension or heart disease.
SKIN Related
It is used externally as a poultice for local inflammation of the skin, boils, leg ulcers, and eczema. The poultice is prepared by soaking the powdered fenugreek seeds in hot water. Today the Chinese use fenugreek to treat abdominal pain, hernia, and oedema.
Post-delivery cases
Take 250 gm of crushed methi seeds and fry these in ghee with one kilogram of wheat flour and then add the same amount of sugar to it. Two teaspoonfuls of this combination, if given daily with warm milk in post delivery cases, help in quick normalisation besides promoting sufficient lactation in nursing mothers.
Sandhivata /Arthritis /Sciatica /Low backache
Methi is supposed to be natural cure for arthritis. According to ayurveda, the cause of arthritis is a noxious gas produced within the human body known as Va and the gas that causes joint arthritis is known as Sandhiva.
During the course of time, intestines fill with undigested food particles which become glued to the intestine lining. These particles create several different layers in the intestine and act as chemicals that release gases with different constituents. The gas, sandhiva, finds refuge in the joints and creates pressure, immobilizing them and making movement painful, due to inflamation. Methi, if consumed twice a day, cleans the intestines and directs the waste out of the body naturally.
Sciatica and low backache: Seasoned ayurvedic physicians advise patients to use methi seeds in the Sciatica-Lumbago Syndrome and also in the early stage of rheumatoid arthritis. For this purpose, 1 gm of the powder of methi and sonth each is given with a little jaggery and warm water two or three times a day.
Hair Fall/Dandruff/Wrinkles
Kidney Stones/Colon Cancer
Some evidence suggests that fenugreek may also have other medical uses. It may reduce the amounts of calcium oxalate in the kidneys. Calcium oxalate often contributes to kidney stones. In animal studies, fenugreek also appeared to lessen the chance of developing colon cancer by blocking the action of certain enzymes. It may have some ability to protect the liver against damage from alcohol and other chemicals, but much further research is needed to prove or disprove all these possible uses of fenugreek.
